Shock-absorber.



W: P. KIDDER.

SHOCK ABSORBER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1907.

Patented Dec. 1,1908.

2 SHEETSPSHEBT 1 i 7/6" h. 212 4 my W. P. KIDDER.

SHOGK ABSORBER.

APPLIGATI ON FILED SEPT.13,1907.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

Ill Ill-III I lllllllilll s hi g illdfh jlldillifd Application filed September 13,

tnnce to the expansion :1 nd conehicle spring when the latter is contracted beyond its normal movement; and, at the some said spring tree to vibrate expanded or reciprocntory time leaving the or reciprocate Within its normal limits with s'uhstantiell'y its full natural resiliency.

With these ends in View, in in vention conhrondly in bringing a. spring pressed. reci'proceting member and or corn into engagement as the vehicle spring expands or con tracts beyond its normal limit and thereby progressively and eitectively arresting the expansion or contraction of the spring witho'utjolt or shock.

My invention further consists in certain features of eonstructionand combination of ierts will. he hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

is practical embodiment of my is represented in the accompanying ings, in which A Figure 1 is a View of the shock absorber in side elevation, partly in section.; as it appears in use attached to the axle and trume of a spring vehi lo the parts being shown in the position \"vhich they assume when the vehicle is at rest, Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the ports in the position which they ossinno when the vehicle spring has ched the full 1' it of chi:ormnlenpansion, 3 is a similer 'VlG'W showing. the position which the parts a some when the vehicle spring has renehed the limit of its abnormal con'rpreseioin i? l: is a, section in the plane of the line A E; of Fig. l, Fig. 5 a section in the plane of the line B-B of Fig. 1, Fin. (3 is a View in side elevation, partly in section of n modified form of the absorber showing ll lines the position W inn-s when the vehicle at restand in dotted lines the po tion which it :rsun" s when tl" vehicle 9. ng h as rencl'ied limit o ulimornml expansion and cornpi min Fig" is new ther in htnfieontol section 01. ene

invention drove u Lu 1ch the nhsorher nicdi i s tion of providing pro- 1 l l l l l l l Specification of Lotte on that l, ll'nnnix GTON P. .lilmperz opposite side. tended stem of :1. plunger 7, the preferably engagement with the coin,

absorb j 8 is s View in. olive or the reciproci l member of the modified or 1 and Fig. 9 at View in Eve of the cam member ring; to Figs.

icle denoted. by '1, the vehicle snri cm the Ride, by 8.

i he of on well. known or rctioin their introduc being simply for the on 1 to incigisi've r Wh' it terms the suo cc nt liiVGl'ltlUh.

shock. absorber comprises pro one for securing home 2 of the vehicle. huh' l provided with into it centrally free slidin head of ded on its outer to receive with a after appear,

oil'i skeleton tormntitm, consisting or and. 9., separate i'rom each othe where they join the head.

ell?

stem of the 'plunger '7 is stillness either alone iring 10 of tording e'flect,

nnnented by a second spring 1 bounds of the oi' the recess or socket G and the ot the head of the plunger 7 and the le 5% and 9. the

. r. w On a phi ngger 7 nun maniher is denoted by hown (it cylindrical tnhlc size to receive.v

t. The bore 113 in i .nch receives the huh ;.i e rec 14-. extending the inner "time of the detail in spring, in shown detail in oi said modi the axle the pres. roose of orectrcnl aoolication oi the shock i i I t matter or vided. with suit 1t firmly to the side The cylln oclret or trom its side and termiimting; e hstence l'roi'n the periphery at the This socket or 6 is in g fit the which is face for as will hereinpreferahly two legs r to arrest or when 1 as here hetn'ee tension o? said spring eggs being so regulated as to hold the normally projected outwardly from the recess or socket t5 clear 1y shown and is '1 term with a bore the huh 4-. With 7 the cam t is "pro-- radially here the except I its hotly frame. ninporting tinlhese several approved tion in p late, 5.

bottom of said recess 14 being made throughout its central portion, as at 15, on a true circular or cylindrical curve, .this curve gradually changing into sharper or parabolic curves l6 and 17 as it extends toward the opposite ends of the recess.

The cam member 12 is provided with a flange 18 which follows the outer face of the base plate 5 exteriorto the hub 4 and this flange 18 is provided with an angular lip 19 which projects over the edge of the base The said member 12 is further proyitledp its opposite end with annular rim for he reception-of a dust cap 21 which qnaybe conveniently formed of pressed steel 'or other suitable metal and may be secured in position to protect the springs 10 and 11 an the plun er 7 .by screws 22, in the pres ent instance four screws passed through the said cap and tapped into the end of the hub 4.

The cam member 12 is provided with an extended lug 23 in which a pintle 24=may be seated for the reception of the upper end of a link 25 forconnecting the rocklng or rotary cam member 12 with a clip 26 fixed on the axle 1.. I

In operation, it is intended that the rounded outer end-of the plunger 7 shall rest in proximity to but not bear with any considerable force against the bottom of the recess 14 intermediate of the oints'wherethe said bottom of the recess changes its form of curve from that of truecyllndrical to that of a steeper or parabolical nature.

This will afiord no considerable resistance to the action of-the vehicle spring withinordinary or normal limits of expansion and contraction as there will 'be no pressure exerted by the cam surfacefo'rming the bottom of the recess 14 at'the opposite ends of its true cylindrical portion until the vehicle spring has expanded or compressed beyond its normal limits. When, however, the vehicle spring is, because of the vehicle striking an unevenness or obstruction in the road, thrown beyond its abnormal reciprocatory movement, the plunger will ride up these parabolical inclines at one or the other end of the recess, gradually at first, the

steepness of the incline progressing until the pressure of the spring, either alone or in combination with other retarding features,

arrests its further expansion or compression and permits itto return to normal? w It will be noted that not only does the spring actuated plunger 7 exert additional friction as it is gradually compressed more and more by the cam surfaces at the opposite ends'of the recess l butas the cam member 12 is rotated or rocked on the hub 4, the advantage of leverage which is about maximum when the vehicle is at rest will gradually lessen untilthe link is thrown nearly but steepness of the with, or secured thereto,

-itin proximity to the cy not quite on center, the'onstruotion being such that the link cannot pass beyond to a position on center. It will be further observed that not onlyqis .the leverageshortened and the spring thereby favored by the rocking of the cam member but the pressure of the bottom of the recess 14-, z. e.,lof the cam surface on the end of the plunger, is directed gradually more and more toward a line transverse to the reciprocating movement of the pluii effect to force the plunger against thetension of its spring but actually setting up frictional resistance between the outer surface of the leg of the plunger and the wall of the recess 6 in which the plunger reciproaates. v

It is not intended that the shock absorber shall ever reach the positions shown in Figs.

'2 and 3, these positions being the limits .beyond which it cannot be forced, the intention being that the spring or springs 10-and 11 shall have sufiicient stiflness when coact ing with the shortening ofileverage and the the movements 0 the shock absorber limits. In the modified form shown in Fig. 6, the spring pressed plunger-(Z is seated in the vehicle spring before ger thereby not only having less.

tparabolicat]. cams to arrest ever reaches these extreme a"so"Eltet 27 formed in an extension 28 of a casing 29 in which the cam member 30 rocks.

-Intlns form, the cam member 30 has a cylindrical disk cover 31, formed integral thereand the cam has a convex cylindrical cam portion 32 whichterminates 1n eccentric or arabolical curves 33, 34, at the opposite en s of the cylindrical curve 32 and the said'member is rocked by means of a link 35 connected with the part 31 and hence with the cam member by means of a pintle 36 extending through a projecting lug 37.

The casing 29 is intended to be fixed firmly to vthe frame of the vehicle while the cam member 30 rocks on a pivot pin 38.

The tension on the spring which actuates the plun er 7 is regulated in this instance by means 0 a screw 39 which extends through the end of the casing extension 28 and engages a follower 40 at the base of the spring.

The operation of the parts as shown and described in this modification, Fig.6, is quite similar to that already described, the rotation of the cam member within the casing as the spring normally expands and contracts having no effect upon the plunger 7, the

tension of its spring being-such as to hold portion of the cam member without any conslderable pressure against the vehiclespring expands or contractjs tto an abnormal extent, the eccentric or bolical portions of the cam member wi lfen gage and force the plunger inwardly therendrically curved by producing a retarding effect upon the A cap is fixed by means of a screw 66 65 rocking of the cam member, which effect will and nut 67 at the end of the stud 61 in posibe multiplied by the shortenii'ig of the lever, tion to house the springs in, 4-5, and the rethe gradual steepe 'ng of the cam surface ciprocating spring pressed member tl, the

5 and the change in direction in which the cam .said cap overlapping the upper edge of the surface applies pressure to the plunger. rocking can member 48. in the modification shown in Figs. 7, 8 In all the forms described, the recesses or and 9. the spring pressed reciprocating plun chambers in which the operating parts are per is denoted by 51 andconsists of a cylinlocated may be filled with. a suitlble lubri- 1o dri :al dished piece provided with a central cant to cause them to work freely and withhub 4-2 and. an annular flange 3. Around. out undue wear andthe said operative parts the hub 4-2 the springs as, are placed are completely housed against the introduc-v rcsting against the inner face of the head of tion of dust and dirt a feature of great imthe dish-shaped member. This member is portance in connection with vehicleswhich 'der all conditions of 15 further provided with a pair of rounded are intended to travel it nosed lugs 46, M, on the under side of its weather and roads. I flange 43 as clearly shown in Fig. 8, and The surfaces referndto 1n the foregoing these logs are intended to ride on cams description as plane surfaces intermediate of formed on the cam member 48. This cam the cam surfaces and denoted by the nu- 20 member 48 is provided with a cylindrical remorals 15, 32, 50 and 54, are in effect neutral cess t?) for the reception of the dished porsurfaces in that they have no effect upon the tion of the spring pressed plunger or memspring pressed reciprocating member or ber 41 and around the exterior of this recess plunger 7 to force it back against'the tension 4-9 there is formed on the outer face of the of this spring and it is this neutral surface 25 member 48, two pairs of inclines, one for in each instance which permits the expansion each of the lugs 4G, 47. and compression of the vehicle spring with- The members of each pair of inclines are in normal. limits without hindrance.

connected by a plane portion 50 which is It will be observed that the principal load,

substantially parallel with the plane of rotain protecting the vehicle springs, is sustained 30 tion of them'ember 48, the surfaces 51 and primarily by the links. These links may on the opposite sides of this plane surswing to positions nearlyon centers and durface 50 being arranged to gradually increase ing such swinging movement they are rein steepness preferably in parabolical curve tarded by the graduated or progressii' e con.-

trol of the spring pressed member by the cam, the downward and upward movement totheir limits which, in the present instance, 35 are of a height corresponding to the extreme depth of the recess 49. of the vehicle body being thereby gradually 106 The pair of cam surfaces above described arrested with thesmoothness, approximately, are intended to engage the lug l7 and simiof a reciprocating body actuated from a lar surfaces 52, 53, connected by a plane pen steadily rotating crank. 4-0 tion 54, are provided for engaging the lug 46. It is evident that changes might be re- The member l8 is provided with a lug eX- sorted to in the form and arrangement of tension 55 through which a pintle 56 passes the several parts without departing from the to connect a link 57. The rocking; or rotary spirit and scope of my invention; hence I earn member 48 is mounted on a hub 58 prodo not wish to limit myself strictly to the 45 jecting; from a base plate 59 which may be structure herein shown and-described, but

riveted or otherwise fixedly secured to the What I claim is? vehicle frame-b0. l. A shock absorber comprising a springlin the hub 58 there is fixed a stud (51 which pressed, reciprocating member and a cam projects through and. is made to conform in member, thasaid members being mounted so cross section to a la red opening 62 in the in rotative relation one to another with the center of the spring pressed member ill to hold the latter against a rotary movement the spring-pressed. reciprocating member, l

I while pennitting it to slide on the stud as 1t the said spring pressed reciprocating memis forced outwardly and inwardly" by the berheing' arranged torcciprocatein a plane 55 cams on the member is. a

The member d8 may have interposed be- I tween it and the base plate a washer 63 S2. A shock absorbercomprisingaspring-f.

\substantially parallel to the plane Gr m -1 ofleather or other suitable nn-iterial and the pre sed reciprocating member and' a cam l tion of the rotative member. i 1-29 eriphei;y of said-member may have a member. the su id members being mounted in downyvandly extending anrmlar liangc 6 for rotati. .latioin one to another, with the overlapping the joint between the washer 63; can 'ie cam member in directv engag'9I1-2b and the base plate to prevent dust and ment. with the spring-pressed, reciprocating member, the said spring pressed reciprocat mg member being arranged to reciprocatein dirt from getting in between the parts and f grindin cam of the cam member in position to operate a plane substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the rotative n'ien'iber.

3. A shock absorber comprising aspringpressed, reciprocating member and a cam member, the said members being mounted in rotative relation one to another and the cam member being provided with cams having a progressive increase in pitch and separated by a neutral surface along which the springpressed, reciprocat-ing member is arranged to travel.

4. A shock absorber comprising a springpressed, reciprocating member and a cam member, the said members being mounted in pressed, reciprocating member and a-rota-- tivc cammember, the cam on the cam member being so disposed as to act on the said 5 ringpressed member in directions at di crent :gngles to the axis of the spring-pressed memer. a

7. .A shock absorber comprising a spring pressed, reciprocating member, a support Within which said" member is mounted and a rotative cam member mounted in proximity to said support with its cam in position to engage the spring-pressed member, the said spring pressed reciprocating member being arranged to reciprocate in aplane substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the cam member.

8. A shock absorber comprising a spring pressed, reciprocating member, a support within which the said member is mounted and a rotative 'cam member mounted in proximity to said support and provided withcams. spaced apart by a neutral surface and arranged to act upon the spring pressed member.

9. A shock absorber comprising a springpressed, reciprocating member, a support within which said member is mounted and a rotative cam member embracing the said swing-pressed member and provided with cams arranged to act upon the spring-pressed member.

10. A shock absorber comprising a springpressed, reciprocating member, a support within which said member is mounted and a rotative cam member mounted on the said support and embracing the said springeoaeee pressed member, the cam member being provided ivith a cam, the operating surface of .which has a progressively 'arying pitch and :;within which the said member is mounted and a rotative cam member mounted in proximity to said support and provided with cams arranged to move the spring-pressed member in a direction radial with respect to the axis of the rotativc member.

13. A shock absorber comprising a springpressed, reciprocating member, a support Within which said member is mounted, a rotative cam member embracing-said springpressed member and a cover for inclosing the space within which the spring-pressed member reciprocates.

14. A. shock absorber comprising a springpressed, reciprocating member, a support provided with a socket within which the said member reciprocates and from which the member projects and a rotative cam member embracing said springpressed member, and provided with a cam recess for receiving the projecting end of the said spring pressed member. 1.5.1n a shock absorber, the combination with a load sustaining link arranged to con tinuously change its leverage when in action, of'means for applying a progressive resistance to the movement of said link at a vary ing rate of increase.

16. In a shock absorber, the combination with a load sustaining link arranged to continuously change its levera e when in action, of a spring pressed member and means interposed between the said link and spring pressed member for applyinga progressive resistance to the movement of the link at a varying rate of increase.

17. In a shock absorber, the combination with a load sustaining link arranged to continuously change its leverage when in action, of a spring-pressed member and a cam interposed between the said link and springpressed member, the operating face of said cam having a curve of varying pitch Whereby a rogressive resistance with varying rate of increase is produced.

18. In a shock absorber, the combination with a load sustaining link arranged to continuphsly chainge its leverage :when in .aqas my invention,- I have signed my flame in tion, of a, zgciprocatixig spr'm r her and 3mm.inttgrposefi d nlgweelzl that ptember. sprmg'presse mam r 319 un ar- 5 ranged to exert pressure on the sprin WELLINGTON KIDDER' pressed member abdiflerenbangles to -t e Witnesses: axis oflsaid memberas the crank Indies. v R; S. Bgnnows,

In testimony,;t hait' I claim the fol egoing ARTHUR P. BENNETT.

geesence of 'two wifmesses,'this Qth-dsiy of 10 

